Man Celebrates Marriage with Yearly Anniversary Card — to Wife He Divorced 22 Years Ago (Exclusive)

Jordan Greene
·3 min read
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Melvin Tavares and Mary Widman divorced in 2002

<p>Courtesy of Jodylynn Tavares</p> Melvin Tavares still sends ex-wife Mary Widman anniversary card every year.

Courtesy of Jodylynn Tavares

Melvin Tavares still sends ex-wife Mary Widman anniversary card every year.

Melvin Tavares and Mary Widman divorced in 2002, yet every year on their anniversary, Tavares makes it a point to celebrate.

Their daughter, Jodylynn Tavares, who was only 3 years old at the time of their divorce, remembers her father consistently sending her mother a card or text message wishing them a happy anniversary for as long as she can remember.

"There was only one year that he forgot, and my mom was kind of disappointed about it," Jodylynn tells PEOPLE exclusively.

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<p>Courtesy of Jodylynn Tavares</p> Melvin Tavares and Mary Widman when they were first married.

Courtesy of Jodylynn Tavares

Melvin Tavares and Mary Widman when they were first married.

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Now 24 years old, Jodylynn reflects on how in the early years following the divorce, her mother may have found these gestures slightly annoying. However, Widman's perspective changed over time, realizing that it was simply her ex being sentimental.

"My dad always picks cartoon and funny cards. He isn't a mushy card buyer. My dad usually writes, 'Happy Anniversary Wifie, love Mel,' " says Jodylynn, who lives in Dallas, Texas. Her parents originally met while living in California.

"I think it shows that he still loves my mom, but not romantically," she adds. "They both are living different lives; he does it out of respect. He still refers to her as his 'wifie'. My dad doesn’t mean any harm or have bad intentions; he is just a sentimental, mushy kind of guy."

<p>Courtesy of Jodylynn Tavares</p> Jodylynn Tavares shares photo of anniversary card her dad sent to her mom this year.

Courtesy of Jodylynn Tavares

Jodylynn Tavares shares photo of anniversary card her dad sent to her mom this year.

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This year, Jodylynn decided to capture the annual moment on camera. She posted it on TikTok, and to her surprise, the video went viral, garnering over 8.2 million views. When she showed the video to her mom, she "just laughed."

The card her dad sent her mom this year included a heartfelt note and a $1 bill. "And happy anniversary! I didn't forget!! Haha! You're still my wifie! Love Mel," the card read.

"Over the years, mom has most likely thrown them away. I do know that she still has the card and dollar that my dad gave her in the video," Jodylynn adds.

Reflecting on her parents' relationship over the years, Jodylynn explains that they did a great job co-parenting. Jodylynn and her sister lived with their mom in Hawaii most of the time, then spent summers with their dad and their Maui family.

"My mom was good and never talked bad about my dad," she says. "She always said that just because she couldn’t be married to him didn’t mean that he wasn’t still our dad. My parents were always on their best behavior when together for graduations, my sister’s wedding, and now they have grandkids together."

"Married at one time but will always be connected to each other. My parents still love each other, but not romantically," she adds.

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